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(NoM'dde'L) J. T. RICE. Oar Coupling.

- No. 230,058. Patented-July 13, 188-0.

WITNESSES. I INVBNTOR:

. ATTORNEYS.

N PETERS, 'PNOTWUTHOUIAPHE'R; WQWNGYON. D. 6..

UNITED STATES PATENT O ICE.

JESSE T. RICE, OF GRAND RAPIDS, MICHIGAN, ASSIGNOB TO HIMSELF AND FRANKJ. HUBBARD, OF SAME PLACE.

CAR-COUPLING.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 230,058, dated July 13,1880.

Application filedMay 19,1880. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, J EssE T. R1011 of Grand Rapids, in the county ofKent and State of Michigan, have invented a new and ImprovedOar-Coupler, of which the followingis a specification.

The invention consists of a draw-head having circular socket,socket-ofl'set, and springsocket, in combination with a coupling-hookhaving circular lower end, shoulders, and spring-socket, a spiralspring, and U-shapcd pivots, as hereinafter described.

Figure 1 is aplan of the device, showing the manner of coupling, with aportion broken away to exhibit other parts. Fig. 2 is a front elevationof the device attached to a car. Fig. 3 is a longitudinal sectionalelevation of a portion of the device, showing an uncoupling mechanism.

Similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts.

In the drawings, A represents a car, B the draw-bar attached thereto andcarrying the draw-head O, that has within it a circular socket, a, inwhich the coupling-hook D is pivoted on the vertical pivot b. The innerand pivoted end of this coupling-hook D is of a shape corresponding withthat of the socket a, and is provided with an eccentric shoulder, c,that engages in a correspoudingrecess or olfset, a, in said socket a,and thereby holds said coupling-hook from being forced too far forwardlaterally by the action of the actuatingspring E, and the shape of theinner end of the coupling-hook D and of the socket to prohibits thewithdrawal of said coupling-hook D, even should the pivot b break,without first removing the cap 0 of the draw-head. A shoulder, f, isformed on the said coupling-hook D, to engage against the front edge ofthe draw-head O, and prevent said hook D from being drawn or pushed toofar back laterally when coupling or uncoupling.

The forward end of the hook D is provided with a coupling-link slot, g,and a coupling-pin opening, h, so that if desired an ordinary link andpin may he used in coupling cars to which this device is applied.

In the back of this coupling-hook D is a curved socket, 7t, openingopposite and corresponding with a curved socket, 1, formed in thedraw-head O, and in these sockets 1, ex-

tending from one into the other, is the spiral spring E, that operatesto throw the end of the coupling-hook D laterally forward and to hold itcoupled.

For the purpose of uncoupling the car the hook D is connected with thebrake-rod F by means of the cord or chain Gr, so that by turning saidrod F the brakeman may uncouplethe cars, and by reversing the movementmay brake the car-wheels.

The pivot 11, being formed in U shape, is also made to serve as a meansfor uncoupling the cars from the sides thereof. One end or leg of thesaid pivot b is passed down through the cap 0 of the draw-head 0,through the coupling-hook D, and into the bottom ofthe said draw-head 0,thereby serving, as beforesaid, as a pivot for the hook D, and thatportion of the said pivot b that is above the cap 0 is bent downward,andthe short leg or end thereof is entered through the slot at in thecap 0' and down into the recess a, and against the square face of theshoulder o of said coupling-pin, as indicated in Figs. 2 and 3, so thatwhen this short leg of the pivot b is laterally moved to press againstthe shoulder a the outer end of coupling-hook D is thereby moved againstthe tension of the spring E. 1n order to uncouple thecars by means ofthis pivot 11, one end of the rod or lever H is looped around the shortleg of the said pivot just above the cap 0, and the other end of saidrod or lever H, inclining upward at an angle of about forty-five degreesis entered into a socket, 0, in one arm of the rocking beam or leverI,that is pivoted horizontally on the front of the car A, so that bymoving said socketed arm of said lever 1 down from either sideof the carthe work of uncoupling is performed.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire tosecure by Letters Patent, is

l. A car-coupler, constructed substantially as herein shown anddescribed, consisting of draw-head 0, provided with circular socket andsocket-offset a a, respectively, and curved socket l, coupling-hook D,havingcircularlower end, shoulders c f, and curved socket 7c, spiralspring E, and U-shaped pivot 12, as set forth.

2. As a means for uncoupling the hook D, and in combination therewith,the bent pivot I), inclined lever H, and rocking lever I, substantiallyas herein shown and described.

Witnesses: JESSE TRIOE.

FRANK MOULTON, E. M. HAYS.

